A tale of two city council members

Good Monday morning!

The hypocrisy! The nerve! Jersey City Councilmember James Solomon has been at the forefront of calls for Councilmember Amy DeGise to resign after she left the scene of an accident in which she hit a cyclist. Now Solomon has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident.

Actually, Solomon scraped a parked car while parallel parking and left a note, David Wildstein and John Heinis report. And his car’s registration was eight months’ expired. Never mind.

First off, Wildstein and Heinis wrote the story straight. Politicians’ driving records are fair game, so I’m not going to fault them for writing them. But it seems pretty clear someone shopped this story to the press to tarnish Solomon for hypocrisy regarding his stance on DeGise. So let’s look at the controversies around these two.

Solomon hit a parked car and left a note. I guess — maybe? — he was supposed to call the police and wait? But he did what many would do in that situation. His car registration was expired. I’ve accidentally let mine expire before, albeit for only a couple weeks. (Solomon told me yesterday that he thought the New Jersey registration for a new car he had purchased out of state was good for a year, but it turned out to only be for three months).

Now let’s look at DeGise’s case. While driving through a green-lit intersection, she slammed into a cyclist and just kept driving. He was fine. She showed up to the police station six hours later, though I’m still not clear on whether the police were already looking for her. The accident alone was bad, but much more came out after that. There were her many unpaid parking tickets, lawsuits over unpaid debts, among other things. But most of all was the time she parked her unregistered car in a very illegal space in Hoboken, then tried to pull her political connections — including calling the Hoboken mayor’s right hand man — to get out of having her car towed. The issue wasn’t DeGise’s expired registration. It was that she appeared to use her position and connections to avoid the consequences a plebeian would face.

Politicians are people and they make mistakes. The difference is whether they behave as regular people would be expected to, or act like they’re part of a privileged class who are bound by a different set of rules, or no rules. By leaving a note, Solomon acted like a regular person. Also worth asking: How did Solomon’s scrape become oppo research?

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE’S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 316

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WHERE’S MURPHY? — In Trenton for a 3 p.m. menorah lighting ceremony

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We see that as an attack on our community because she’s the only representative we have.” — Migel Diaz of the newly-formed Dominican American Political Force, which appears to have been set up to defend Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valez from state Sen. Kristin Corrado.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – Pamela Lampitt,  Carla Katz 

MOST NJ POLITICAL BOSSES ARE DEMOCRATS BUT NOT PROGRESSIVES — “Young NJ voters are progressive but not necessarily Democrats for these reasons, poll says,” by The Record’s Katie Sobko: “New Jersey residents under 30 years old are progressive but not necessarily Democrats, according to a new study out of Fairleigh Dickinson University. These residents have an interest in issues like climate change and universal health care but aren’t willing to subscribe to the political party as a whole, said Dan Cassino, a professor of Government and Politics at Fairleigh Dickinson University and the executive director of the poll. ‘They’re voting on a candidate-by-candidate basis or an issue-by-issue basis,’ he said. ‘If you’re a party line voter, I don’t think you need to know anything other than, ‘I’m a Republican and I’m going to vote for the Republican line.’ It’s very easy to do that.’ Voting on the basis of candidates or issues requires a lot more research, Cassino added.”

TEST TO THE TEACH — Murphy signs law eliminating edTPA test, by POLITICO’s Carly Sitrin: Gov. Phil Murphy on Friday signed a highly-anticipated bill to ban requiring the edTPA teacher certification test in New Jersey. Education advocates as well as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been urging the governor to scrap the test in light of the nationwide teacher shortage … Critics say the test — which has been eliminated in several other states — increases racial inequities in the workforce, adds a financial burden for prospective teachers and produces unusable data about educators’ effectiveness.

—“N.J. teachers among the highest paid in nation. Here’s where they rank” 

DIMAIO IS SOUR (ON MURPHY) — “Assembly GOP criticizes Governor Murphy on spending,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Sophie Nieto-Munoz: “Assembly Republicans criticized the governor’s spending policies and said they hope to adjust the state’s tax codes next year during an end-of-year press conference Thursday. ‘Affordability is worse in New Jersey than ever. That’s because policies haven’t changed, and in fact, under Governor Murphy, those policies continue to be doubled down,’ said Assemblyman John DiMaio (R-Warren), the chamber’s minority leader. DiMaio attacked aspects of the $50.6 billion budget passed in June — noting that it represents a $14 billion increase in spending since Murphy became governor — criticizing as gimmicks the budget’s fee waiver for people entering state parks and this year’s 10-day sales tax holiday for school supplies.”

QATAR AND FIFA RELIEVED TO NOT HAVE TO BE SEEN NEAR THE REPRESENTATIVE OF SUCH A CORRUPT STATE  — “Murphy turned down Biden invite to attend world cup ceremonies in Qatar,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Gov. Phil Murphy turned down President Joe Biden’s offer to be part of the U.S. delegation to attend the closing ceremonies of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Sunday, the New Jersey Globe has leaned. The invitation is another signal of the increasingly close relationship between Biden and Murphy, who chairs both the National Governors Association and the Democratic Governors Association. Murphy attended a state dinner Biden held this month in honor of French President Emmanuel Macron. Murphy, an avid soccer fan, was asked to be part of a five-member delegation”

O.P.I.A. TO BE RENAMED DOPEY A.F. — “State drops charges against N.J. correctional officer accused of lying about gang membership,” by NJ Advance Media’s Anthony G. Attrino: “The state Attorney General’s office has dropped charges against a former state prison correctional officer who allegedly admitted to investigators that he lied when he said he was never a gang member. Ruben Morales, 44, who worked at Northern State Prison in Newark for 20 years, stated on a renewal form for his 2019 prison ID card that he had never been affiliated with gangs, according to court records. But investigators from the state Department of Corrections and the attorney general’s office later learned Morales had served as the national vice president of the ‘Thug Riders’ motorcycle gang, according to court documents … In an Aug. 13, 2020,interview with a detective from the state’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability … Morales “admitted that his ‘no’ answer to the subversive organization question was inaccurate,” court records state … In their motion to dismiss the charges, state prosecutors said they attempted to record a portion of Morales’ interview with investigators, “but were not successful in that effort.” Court documents do not state why the investigators were unable to record the interview.”

NURSING HOMES — “‘Somebody should care about these patients…’ It was called one of the worst nursing homes in N.J, Why did it take so long to shut it down?” by NJ Advance Media’s Susan K. Livio and Ted Sherman: “Earlier this year, the state Department of Health slammed Woodland with tough enforcement sanctions that would permanently move Ramos and hundreds of others out to new places to live and would ultimately lead to the almost unheard-of closure of one of the largest, most notorious, and arguably most dangerous nursing homes in New Jersey. More people have died from COVID at Woodland than at any other long-term care facility in the state. It was slapped in August with a nearly $1 million civil penalty by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for placing the health and lives of residents in jeopardy, while its demise marked the first nursing home in New Jersey to be forcibly shut down since 2018, following years of complaints, lawsuits, fines and reports of horrendous conditions… The Department of Health was well aware of the deplorable conditions for years, advocates argue, yet delayed taking action to shut it down.”

A CORRASIVE INFLUENCE — “A Dominican political group takes aim at State Sen. Kristen Corrado. This is why,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “A newly-formed Dominican political group is coming to the defense of embattled Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes, saying it will target a state legislator who has been blocking Valdes’ re-appointment. The Dominican American Political Force will do whatever it can to defeat Republican state Sen. Kristen Corrado in next November’s election, said Migel Diaz, one of the group’s founders. Diaz is a well-connected Democratic Party operative from Paterson who has ties to high-ranking state government leaders in Trenton. Corrado in October had called for Valdes to resign and has used senatorial courtesy to block Gov. Phil Murphy’s attempt to reappoint Valdes to her third term.’We can’t let her be attacked by Kristen Corrado,’ Diaz said of Valdes, who is Dominican. ‘We see that as an attack on our community because she’s the only representative we have.’”

— New Jersey Republicans seek TikTok ban on state-issued devices

— “N.J. lawmakers are cracking down on car thefts. Will it work?”

—“Gov. Murphy says N.J. will not ‘stand for anti-Muslim behavior’ after incidents” 

—“N.J. adult legal weed tops $116 million in sales from July to September” 

—Mulshine: “That hunt was a real bear” 

—“Friendly Fire: Is this a turning point on Trump?” 

—“Stomping Grounds: Cryptocurrency, Voter Turnout, Health Care costs for public workers, and privacy for elected officials and candidates” 

—“85 companies may have to pay $150M to clean up [Passaic] river they polluted, feds says” 

—“Rep. Norcross: We can’t let clinics stop opioid treatment reforms that will save lives | Opinion” 

STATE WOULD CHARGE DOLLAR AND A HALF JUST TO SEE THE PARK —“In Trenton, there’s a real chance to un-pave the parking lot and put a paradise,” by Jay Watson for Gannett: “[C]reating an urban park in downtown Trenton that would not only serve local residents, but draw visitors to the capital city from near and far. There’s an opportunity to do just that in the Capitol Complex neighborhood, which includes the State House and Annex, State Library, State Archives, State Museum and Planetarium, Old Barracks Museum, War Memorial building and more. With a multi-year renovation of the historic State House nearing completion, now is the perfect time to envision the next steps for greening downtown Trenton and creating an urban oasis.More than a century ago, Stacy Park — a grand expanse of open space — was created through a joint city and state effort to reclaim access to the Delaware River waterfront. Over time, however, much of the parkland behind the State House gave way to parking lots and Route 29, severing the city, residents and visitors from the river.”

KALASHNIKER THE DEADLY GHOST GUN — “N.J. school worker had ghost gun, ammo on district property, more firepower at home, cops say,” by NJ Advance Media’s Anthony G. Attrino: “A truck driver employed by the Elizabeth Board of Education in Union County was arrested last month for allegedly having a ghost gun and three loaded ammo magazines on school grounds, in addition to several more weapons at his home, authorities said. Walter A. Evers, 44, of Linden, faces numerous weapons charges, including unlawful possession at an educational institution and possession of a large capacity ammunition device, according to jail and court records. Evers was arrested on Nov. 29, according to court documents.”

—“Lakewood School Board meets in person for first time since 2020, talks bullying, safety” 

—“Democrat wins In Raritan Borough after recount increases lead to 9 votes” 

—“Hamilton Street developer sues Franklin over ‘political motivations to obstruct’ project” 

—“N.J. hospital chain acquires Salem Medical Center” 

—“Jackson settles with Oros Bais Yaakov over high school, ending 10-year legal fight” 

—“Lucy the Elephant’s $2.4M makeover is complete — and she’s about to make her big debut” 

—“Weehawken looking to officially ban short-term rentals like Airbnb, Vrbo” 

R.I.P. — “Joyce Goldman, longtime Essex stalwart, dies at 82”

HEALTH CARE — “N.J. hospital could announce new CEO next week. Some community leaders say they’ve been excluded,’ by NJ Advance Media’s Spencer Kent: “University Hospital could announce its new president and CEO next week at its regularly scheduled board meeting, the board’s chair told NJ Advance Media … Tanya Freeman, the board chair, declined to name the finalists or say if a candidate had been selected. In fact, none of the candidates have been publicly identified, and some community leaders have accused the state’s sole public hospital of failing to be transparent. ‘We just want to be included in the process as to who the applicants are,’ said Newark community advocate Lavita Johnson, an assistant manager in the city’s office of people’s assembly and a former police officer. ‘And we have not been included,’ she added.”

CAR INSURANCE — “N.J. auto insurance costs more for renters, blue-collar workers, non-college grads. It’s discrimination, activists say,” by NJ Advance Medai’s Matt Arco: “N.J. auto insurance costs more for renters, blue-collar workers, non-college gradsMost Jersey drivers in a state with more than 5.9 million vehicles may not know that how much everyone pays for auto insurance is not governed solely by their driving record or where they live. Insurers also look at your credit score, what you do for a living, if you’re married, if you own a home, and if you have a college degree. And these factors can have startling disparities, according to a 2015 study by Consumer Reports. A janitor with a perfect driving record and terrible credit could actually pay $37 a year more for insurance than a doctor who’s been convicted of driving drunk but who has excellent credit, the study found. It’s discrimination, activists say.”

GIRARD LEFT BECAUSE OF HIGH TAXES, ACCORDING TO UNITED STAGECOACH LINES STUDY   — “N.J. home owned by the richest man in Colonial America on the market for $234.9K,” by NJ Advance Media’s Patrick O’Shea: “As Kevin Ciccone sees it, early America businessman Stephen Girard isn’t getting the historical respect he deserves. “Here’s a guy who was the fourth richest American ever, the guy who personally financed the War of 1812,” exclaims Ciccone. ‘I’m kind of scratching my head that his house hasn’t been preserved, that it ended up on the auction block. How does that happen?’ Ciccone is the listing agent for the two-story, single-family home at 211 Mill St. in Mount Holly, Burlington County, otherwise known as the Girard House”

—“Did caller ID get its start in N.J.? We picked up the mystery” 

—“Feds arrest N.J. restaurant owner who ignored subpoena seeking pay records, authorities say” 

—“Basketball player recruited to play in college fatally shot at N.J. nature preserve, cops say” 

—“Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band to release recordings of 2023 concerts”